Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/252

236 the distance, and in a moment out from it there emerged the forms of five horsemen, who were riding swiftly.

"Into the barn! Up into the mow! Cover yourself up good with the hay!" exclaimed Jacob, in a low voice.

Robert required no second bidding, and instantly darted into the barn and clambered up the low stationary ladder. Heedless of directions, he threw himself upon the hay and in a moment had burrowed beneath it until he could feel the loose boards under his feet, for the hay was nearly gone, and it was evident that a fresh supply had not been provided during the summer by Jacob, who had been busied in other ways.

Robert had barely settled himself in his hiding-place when he heard the voices of men in the yard in front of the barn. He could see nothing, but the men were speaking loudly, and he fancied that one voice sounded strangely familiar, although he was unable to decide just whose it was.

"Well, Jacob, we 've run the cub to earth this time. Chased him right into his hole."

Robert could hear the landlord as he replied, but as he spoke in low tones he could not distinguish what was said.